Zida unveils ambitious agricultural projects to cu...

Zida unveils ambitious agricultural projects to cultivate rural growth and food security

Philemon Jambaya

Zim Now Editor

The Zimbabwe Investment and Development Agency is actively promoting three transformative agricultural initiatives poised to inject fresh vitality into the nation's rural economies, bolster food security, and attract significant capital into its farming value chains. These ambitious projects, spanning livestock farming, agro-processing, and crop diversification, hold the promise of widespread job creation and substantial value addition across several provinces.

Agriculture remains the bedrock of Zimbabwe's economy, a sector that sustains 70% of the population, provides 23% of formal employment, supplies 63% of raw materials to local industries, generates 30% of export earnings, and contributes 15% to overall economic activity. Recognizing this crucial role, Zida is championing ventures designed to unlock the sector's immense potential.

In the drought-prone Matabeleland South province, Agro Strong (Pvt) Ltd is spearheading a significant livestock project. The company has secured a substantial 5,500 hectares of land for a vertically integrated beef and dairy operation, strategically targeting the existing national supply deficits in both meat and milk. "There is strong investment potential in Zimbabwe’s livestock sector," Zida highlighted in its 2025 Projects Report. The report further noted the critical supply gaps: "The country has a beef supply gap of between 25% and 40%, largely due to low slaughter throughput. On the dairy side, local production meets only half of the annual demand of 140 million litres, revealing immense opportunities for expansion."

Already operational since 2021, this brownfield investment is built upon existing infrastructure and aims to acquire 4,500 to 5,000 breeding cows to achieve a short-term production target of 3,000 calves annually. Looking ahead, Zida outlined ambitious long-term plans: "Long-term plans include establishing feed production and export-compliant abattoirs, positioning the project to tap into premium markets in the EU [European Union], Sadc and the Middle East." The financial projections for Agro Strong are promising, including a projected revenue of US$6 million, a robust 40% gross profit margin, a healthy 25% net profit margin, a 14% annual return on investment (ROI), and a net present value (NPV) of US$3.5 million, with a payback period of four years. The liberalized beef market environment is expected to further support competitive pricing and enhance market access for producers.

Moving to Mashonaland East, Zida is promoting the Goromonzi Agro-Processing Industrial Park as a flagship Special Economic Zone dedicated to rural industrialization. This expansive 1,718-hectare site is envisioned as a modern agro-industrial complex, incorporating mixed farming units, state-of-the-art agro-processing facilities, solar-powered infrastructure, and essential logistics support services. "This greenfield project will host a modern agro-industrial complex, with the first phase covering 1 025 hectares ready for immediate development," Zida stated. Designed to attract agri-tech investors under an EPC+F [Engineering, Procurement, Construction, and Financing] model, the project boasts strategic advantages, including proximity to reliable water sources, readily available raw materials from nearby farming communities, and an abundance of solar energy. The projected key financials for the Goromonzi Agro-Processing Industrial Park include a land value of US$1.5 million, total development costs estimated at US$36.9 million, an anticipated developer profit of US$20.8 million, an NPV of US$12.9 million, an impressive internal rate of return of 47%, and a five-year payback period.

In the eastern and southern regions of the country, Mossfield Farms (Pvt) Ltd is embarking on an expansion of its already successful diversified farming enterprise. This mature agribusiness operation strategically integrates climate-smart practices with crop and citrus production, livestock rearing, and renewable energy generation. With a significant landholding of over 15,000 hectares spread across Hwedza, Makoni, and Chiredzi, Mossfield Farms leverages fertile soils and solar-powered irrigation systems to significantly scale up its output. "This is a mature agribusiness operation already producing soybeans, maize, barley, and sugar beans, with new ventures in sugarcane and citrus," Zida reported. The expansion plans are ambitious, including the introduction of dairy and poultry farming, alongside further investments in renewable energy infrastructure. To facilitate this growth, the company is seeking US$10 million in funding to support expansion initiatives, upgrade irrigation systems, develop poultry infrastructure, and provide essential operational support. The projected returns for Mossfield Farms are substantial, including a staggering US$1.2 billion in revenue, a strong 38% gross profit margin, a healthy 25% net profit margin, a 20% ROI, and a significant NPV of US$130 million, with a payback period of six years.

Collectively, these three pivotal agricultural ventures have an estimated revenue potential of at least US$1.2 billion once fully realized.